How much do genetics play a part in political leanings?

**Richmondbread** · 08-22-2018, 06:54 PM

I was just wondering. This was brought to my attention during a recent family reunion. Granted, these were very distant relatives- about 4th or 5th cousins. I later found out after the reunion (mostly via Facebook) that about 80% of my cousins were... GULP... Hillary Clinton supporters!

My immediate family is solid Republican/Tea party Evangelicals. My brother's wife is conservative too, and so are my nieces and nephews- all of them Millennials or younger. I was just wondering if there is genetic component that you may have some liberals on your family tree, or more environmental. Liberalism does seem to spread like wildfire once it takes root. What do Y'all think?

**Gründig** · 08-22-2018, 06:55 PM

Common sense plays a role.

**GreentheViper** · 08-22-2018, 06:58 PM

I don't know much about the subject but I do know that I'm a conservative and my parents are both liberals lol.

**~~Bobby Martnen~~** · 08-27-2018, 08:23 AM

Barely if at all. I'm far right, my parents are far left, my mom's parents are center right, my dad's mom is center left, my dad's dad is long dead

**Richmondbread** · 08-29-2018, 12:27 AM

I guess I was blessed that everyone in my immediate family were/are conservatives.

**Nazarene** · 08-29-2018, 12:30 AM

If we're talking US election 2016, my whole immediate and extended family were supporting Trump. I doubt that anyone in my community even thought about supporting Hillary.

**MysteriousWays** · 08-29-2018, 12:37 AM

I think it is highly genetic. Most in my family are either the old "conservative Democrats" or are Republicans, with a couple of exceptions on my mom's side.

**Smeagol** · 08-29-2018, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Richmondbread

I was just wondering. This was brought to my attention during a recent family reunion. Granted, these were very distant relatives- about 4th or 5th cousins. I later found out after the reunion (mostly via Facebook) that about 80% of my cousins were... GULP... Hillary Clinton supporters!

Liberal brainwashing, not genetics.

**Richmondbread** · 08-29-2018, 01:08 AM

Originally Posted by MysteriousWays

I think it is highly genetic. Most in my family are either the old "conservative Democrats" or are Republicans, with a couple of exceptions on my mom's side.

Well, it could be partly environmental. Maybe genetics play a part, but also the right conditions. Sort of like with mental illness. I think that is how liberalism works, lol.

**Rædwald** · 08-29-2018, 01:45 AM

I'm conservative, and my father is conservative. Most of my family is conservative. I thought I was a liberal once upon a time, but I was also young and didn't really know much about politics.